13-Month Escape Ended in Alentejo: Leader of Giant Drug Gang Caught

The most critical piece in a long-running major drug operation between Portugal and Spain has finally fallen into place. The top name of a massive international smuggling network operating throughout the Iberian Peninsula had been on the run for exactly 13 months. The escape ended in Portalegre, one of the quiet corners of Alentejo.

The suspect, who was caught in a raid organized by GNR's Special Operations Intervention Group (GIOE), was sent directly to prison by the court.

3 Years Cross-Border Tracking

In the background of the work, there is a very meticulous work carried out jointly by the Spanish Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) and GNR for more than three years. The size of the network is not such a small-scale organization; We are talking about a structure that directly manages international shipments and distribution mechanism.

The real big blow was struck in July 2025. In simultaneous raids covering eight different regions of Portugal and Southern Spain:

49 people (32 in Portugal, 17 in Spain) were detained,

7 tons of marijuana and 650 kilos of cocaine were seized,

780 thousand euros in cash, 11 unlicensed weapons and 24 vehicles were seized.

Logistics Network with Millions of Speed Boats

The equipment used by the network, especially in sea shipments, is also noteworthy. Within the scope of the operations, 18 high-speed speedboats and 40 high-power engines worth approximately 8 million euros were seized.

The organization had established a huge logistics mechanism that unloaded goods from the open sea to the shore with fast boats and distributed them to the domestic market and Europe. With the capture of the key figure at the top of the network in Portalegre, GNR states that the entire command level of the gang has completely collapsed.

Source: Michael Bruxo (The Portugal Resident), GNR (19 August 2026)